The Independent Commission on Multilateralism

The time is now to examine how countries collectively respond to crisis. The world is undergoing major transformations at unprecedented speeds, putting enormous stress on our institutions of global governance. The United Nations itself is the product of seven decades of cumulative institutional development. Is it working? Is it fit for purpose?

Leadership

Kevin Rudd serves as the Chair of ICM. He is a former Australian politician who served twice as Prime Minister of Australia. Among his many roles as a global leader, Mr. Rudd serves as President of the Asia Society Policy Institute. You can follow him on Twitter @MrKRudd

Barbara Gibson is ICM’s Secretary-General. A career Canadian Foreign service diplomat, she is seconded to the ICM as part of Canada’s contribution. She has previously served as Canada’s Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, from 2004-2008. You can follow her on twitter @gibsonnyc

What’s new

Over the past two decades, an abundance of legal and policy frameworks in the multilateral system have focused on women’s security and empowerment. Women, however, continue to be poorly represented in formal peacemaking activities, and they suffer disproportionately from the indirect effects of conflict. The credibility of the multilateral system itself depends on progress in this area, due to compelling evidence that inclusive societies are more likely to be peaceful and stable.
On the (...)

An overflow crowd attended the launch of the ICM final report at IPI on September 21 and heard a prediction from one of the co-chairs of the two-year project that the document would soon become essential reading for those plotting the future of the United Nations.
Watch the webcast:
“Regardless of who will be the next Secretary-General,” said Børge Brende, Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, “this document is mandatory for that person to read and internalize.”
Another co-chair, Timor (...)